U.S. patent application number 14/769956 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for control device of internal combustion engine.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is Masashi HAKARIYA, Tokiji ITO, Toshihiro KATO, Yoshifumi MATSUDA, Isao NAKAJIMA, Yoshihisa ODA, Masahide OKADA, Hiroaki TSUJI, Yuya YOSHIKAWA. Invention is credited to Masashi HAKARIYA, Tokiji ITO, Toshihiro KATO, Yoshifumi MATSUDA, Isao NAKAJIMA, Yoshihisa ODA, Masahide OKADA, Hiroaki TSUJI, Yuya YOSHIKAWA.
Application Number | 20160003181 14/769956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51390917 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160003181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKADA; Masahide ; et
al. |
January 7, 2016 |
CONTROL DEVICE OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
Abstract
A control device of an internal combustion engine according to
the present invention executes air-fuel ratio control based on an
output of an air-fuel ratio sensor provided at an upstream side of
a catalyst, with correction based on an output of an oxygen sensor
at a downstream side of the catalyst. When it is determined that a
degree of an output tendency in a predetermined lean region is not
less than a predetermined lean degree, and that a degree of an
output tendency in a predetermined rich region is less than a
predetermined rich degree based on lean tendency and rich tendency
values representing output tendencies of the oxygen sensor, a limit
is set to the correction in a direction to more suppress enriching
of an air-fuel ratio as a degree is larger in which the output of
the oxygen sensor is shifted to a lean side.
Inventors: |
OKADA; Masahide; (Anjou-shi,
Aichi-ken, JP) ; HAKARIYA; Masashi; (Nagoya-shi,
Aichi-ken, JP) ; MATSUDA; Yoshifumi; (Toyota-shi,
Aichi-ken, JP) ; ODA; Yoshihisa; (Toyota-shi,
Aichi-ken, JP) ; TSUJI; Hiroaki; (Miyoshi-shi,
Aichi-ken, JP) ; ITO; Tokiji; (Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken,
JP) ; NAKAJIMA; Isao; (Nisshin-shi, Aichi-ken,
JP) ; KATO; Toshihiro; (Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken,
JP) ; YOSHIKAWA; Yuya; (Chiryu-shi, Aichi-ken,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OKADA; Masahide
HAKARIYA; Masashi
MATSUDA; Yoshifumi
ODA; Yoshihisa
TSUJI; Hiroaki
ITO; Tokiji
NAKAJIMA; Isao
KATO; Toshihiro
YOSHIKAWA; Yuya |
|
|
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi, Aichi
JP
|
Family ID: |
51390917 |
Appl. No.: |
14/769956 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
January 21, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/000289 |
371 Date: |
August 24, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02D 41/1456 20130101;
F02D 41/1475 20130101; F02D 41/1495 20130101; F02D 41/1441
20130101; F02D 41/1454 20130101; F02D 41/30 20130101; F02D 41/222
20130101; F02D 41/1455 20130101; Y02T 10/40 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F02D 41/14 20060101
F02D041/14; F02D 41/30 20060101 F02D041/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2013 |
JP |
2013-034702 |
Claims
1. A control device of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
an air-fuel ratio control unit configured to execute air-fuel ratio
control based on an output of an air-fuel ratio sensor provided at
an upstream side of an exhaust purification catalyst of an exhaust
passage, the air-fuel ratio control unit executing correction to
the air-fuel ratio control by a correction amount set based on an
output of an oxygen sensor provided at a downstream side of the
exhaust purification catalyst; an output tendency value calculation
unit configured to calculate a value that represents an output
tendency of the oxygen sensor based on the output of the oxygen
sensor, the output tendency value calculation unit calculating a
lean tendency value that represents a lean output tendency in a
predetermined lean region closer to a lean side than a theoretical
air-fuel ratio and a rich tendency value that represents a rich
output tendency in a predetermined rich region closer to a rich
side than the theoretical air-fuel ratio in a predetermined time; a
determination unit configured to determine whether or not a degree
of the lean output tendency in the predetermined lean region is not
less than a predetermined lean degree based on the lean tendency
value calculated by the output tendency value calculation unit, and
determine whether or not a degree of the rich output tendency in
the predetermined rich region is less than a predetermined rich
degree based on the rich tendency value calculated by the output
tendency value calculation unit; and a limit setting unit
configured to set a limit to the correction to the air-fuel ratio
control in a direction to more suppress enriching of an air-fuel
ratio as a degree is larger in which the output of the oxygen
sensor is shifted to the lean side, when it is determined by the
determination unit that the degree of the lean output tendency in
the predetermined lean region is not less than the predetermined
lean degree, and that the degree of the rich output tendency in the
predetermined rich region is less than the predetermined rich
degree.
2. The control device of the internal combustion engine according
to claim 1, wherein the limit setting unit uses the lean tendency
value calculated by the output tendency value calculation unit as a
value representing the degree in which the output of the oxygen
sensor is shifted to the lean side, and sets the limit to the
correction based on the lean tendency value.
3. The control device of the internal combustion engine according
to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detection unit
configured to detect an element temperature of the oxygen sensor,
wherein the output tendency value calculation unit calculates at
least the rich tendency value based on the output of the oxygen
sensor when the element temperature of the oxygen sensor detected
by the temperature detection unit is not more than a predetermined
temperature having a correspondence relation with a lean-side
boundary value of the predetermined rich region.
4. The control device of the internal combustion engine according
to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature detection unit
configured to detect an element temperature of the oxygen sensor;
and a rich region setting unit configured to set a lean-side
boundary value of the predetermined rich region based on the
element temperature of the oxygen sensor detected by the
temperature detection unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a control device of an
internal combustion engine in which an oxygen sensor is provided in
an exhaust passage.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, in an internal combustion engine provided with an
exhaust purification system utilizing a catalyst, it is essential
to control a mixing ratio of air and fuel of an air-fuel mixture
burnt in the internal combustion engine, i.e., an air-fuel ratio,
in order to perform purification of harmful components in exhaust
gas by the catalyst with high efficiency. In order to perform such
control of the air-fuel ratio, in the internal combustion engine as
described above, sensors that generate outputs according to oxygen
concentrations of the exhaust gas are provided at upstream and
downstream sides of the catalyst of an exhaust passage, i.e., a
catalytic purification device, and air-fuel ratio feedback control
is carried out so that the air-fuel ratio is made to follow a
target air-fuel ratio based on outputs of them. For example, a
so-called wide-area air-fuel ratio sensor is provided at the
upstream side of the catalyst, and a so-called oxygen sensor is
provided at the downstream side thereof.
[0003] A general oxygen sensor is disposed in the exhaust passage
so that an inner surface of a detection element of the oxygen
sensor is exposed to the atmospheric air, and that an outer surface
thereof is exposed to the exhaust gas, and when a difference is
generated in oxygen partial pressures of the atmospheric air and
the exhaust gas, in short, a difference is generated in oxygen
concentrations, oxygen ions flow inside the detection element from
a side with high oxygen concentration to a side with low oxygen
concentration, and thus an electromotive force is generated.
However, when a defect occurs in the detection element of the
oxygen sensor, i.e., when an element crack occurs, the exhaust gas
flows inside the detection element, and the difference is not
generated in the oxygen concentration between inside and outside
the detection element. As a result of it, the oxygen sensor
generates an output similar to an output at the time of so-called
lean combustion in which oxygen increases in the exhaust gas. That
is, when the defect occurs in the detection element, a degree
increases in which the oxygen sensor generates the output similar
to the output at the time of lean combustion. Consequently, it is
possible to detect that the detection element of the oxygen sensor
has a defective abnormality based on a degree of an output tendency
of a lean side of the oxygen sensor.
[0004] As described above, when the detection element of the oxygen
sensor has the defective abnormality, the output of the oxygen
sensor does not generally correspond to an oxygen concentration of
the exhaust gas, and thus when the above-described air-fuel ratio
control is performed simply based on the output of the oxygen
sensor, emission is deteriorated. Particularly, since such an
oxygen sensor tends to generate an output similar to the output at
the time of lean combustion as mentioned above, correction to
excessively enrich an air-fuel ratio may be performed based on the
output of the oxygen sensor in the air-fuel ratio control.
[0005] For example, PTL 1 discloses an air-fuel ratio control
device for preventing emission deterioration as described above.
This device has a configuration that determines that a possibility
of abnormality is higher as a degree is larger in which appearance
frequency distribution of an output value of an oxygen sensor
provided at a downstream side of an exhaust purification catalyst
is shifted to a lean side, and sets a limit to a correction amount
to air-fuel ratio control in a direction to suppress enriching of
an air-fuel ratio according to a degree of the possibility of
abnormality.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0006] PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-36742
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0007] By the way, raising a determination criterion (detection
criterion) of the defective abnormality of the oxygen sensor is
needed due to further tightening of emission regulations in recent
years.
[0008] Meanwhile, a time when the degree increases in which the
oxygen sensor generates the output similar to the output at the
time of lean combustion is not limited to a time when the detection
element of the oxygen sensor has the defective abnormality. In an
internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, i.e., a
so-called multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, when a degree
of variation of air-fuel ratios among cylinders is high, an oxygen
sensor provided in an exhaust passage tends to generate an output
similar to an output at the time of lean combustion. Generally, in
such an internal combustion engine, since air-fuel ratio control is
usually performed to all the cylinders using a same control amount,
actual air-fuel ratios may vary among the cylinders even if the
air-fuel ratio control is executed. If the degree of variation is
small at this time, it can be absorbed by air-fuel ratio feedback
control, and purification treatment of harmful components in
exhaust gas can be performed also by a catalyst, so that emission
is not affected, and there occurs no problems in particular.
However, for example, when fuel injection systems of some cylinders
or a valve train of an intake valve breaks down, and the air-fuel
ratios among the cylinders greatly vary, an air-fuel ratio sensor
at an upstream side of the catalyst has a strong tendency to
generate an output similar to an output of a richer air-fuel ratio
than a theoretical air-fuel ratio by an effect of hydrogen
components in the exhaust gas, and the air-fuel ratio is easily
shifted to a lean side by the air-fuel ratio control. Consequently,
due to this, a degree increases in which the oxygen sensor at a
downstream side of the catalyst generates an output similar to the
output at the time of lean combustion. Accordingly, in the internal
combustion engine provided with a configuration that detects that
the detection element of the oxygen sensor has the defective
abnormality based on the degree of the output tendency of the lean
side of the oxygen sensor, there is a possibility of erroneously
detecting that the defective abnormality has occurred in the
detection element of the oxygen sensor when the degree of variation
of the air-fuel ratios among cylinders is high. Particularly, the
determination criterion of the defective abnormality of the oxygen
sensor is raised, and thereby the possibility of the erroneous
detection can be further increased.
[0009] As described above, under a situation where occurrence of
the defective abnormality in the oxygen sensor is erroneously
detected although there is no defective abnormality in the oxygen
sensor when the degree of variation of the air-fuel ratios among
cylinders is high, in an internal combustion engine provided with
the air-fuel ratio control device as shown in PTL 1, a limit may be
set to a correction amount with respect to air-fuel ratio control
according to the degree of variation of the air-fuel ratios among
cylinders. Such setting of the limit cannot contribute to
improvement of emission.
[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of
the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to perform
air-fuel ratio control more suitably based on the output of the
oxygen sensor provided at the downstream side of the exhaust
purification catalyst of the exhaust passage.
Solution to Problem
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a control device of an internal combustion engine
including:
[0012] air-fuel ratio control means configured to execute air-fuel
ratio control based on an output of an air-fuel ratio sensor
provided at an upstream side of an exhaust purification catalyst of
an exhaust passage, the air-fuel ratio control means executing
correction to the air-fuel ratio control by a correction amount set
based on an output of an oxygen sensor provided at a downstream
side of the exhaust purification catalyst;
[0013] output tendency value calculation means configured to
calculate a value that represents an output tendency of the oxygen
sensor based on the output of the oxygen sensor, the output
tendency value calculation means calculating a lean tendency value
that represents a lean output tendency in a predetermined lean
region closer to a lean side than a theoretical air-fuel ratio and
a rich tendency value that represents a rich output tendency in a
predetermined rich region closer to a rich side than the
theoretical air-fuel ratio in a predetermined time;
[0014] determination means configured to determine whether or not a
degree of the lean output tendency in the predetermined lean region
is not less than a predetermined lean degree based on the lean
tendency value calculated by the output tendency value calculation
means, and determine whether or not a degree of the rich output
tendency in the predetermined rich region is less than a
predetermined rich degree based on the rich tendency value
calculated by the output tendency value calculation means; and
[0015] limit setting means configured to set a limit to the
correction to the air-fuel ratio control in a direction to more
suppress enriching of an air-fuel ratio as a degree is larger in
which the output of the oxygen sensor is shifted to the lean side,
when it is determined by the determination means that the degree of
the lean output tendency in the predetermined lean region is not
less than the predetermined lean degree, and that the degree of the
rich output tendency in the predetermined rich region is less than
the predetermined rich degree.
[0016] Preferably, the limit setting means uses the lean tendency
value calculated by the output tendency value calculation means as
a value representing the degree in which the output of the oxygen
sensor is shifted to the lean side, and sets the limit to the
correction based on the lean tendency value.
[0017] When temperature detection means configured to detect an
element temperature of the oxygen sensor is further provided, the
output tendency value calculation means may calculate at least the
rich tendency value based on the output of the oxygen sensor when
the element temperature of the oxygen sensor detected by the
temperature detection means is not more than a predetermined
temperature having a correspondence relation with a lean-side
boundary value of the predetermined rich region. Alternatively,
when the temperature detection means configured to detect the
element temperature of the oxygen sensor is further provided, rich
region setting means configured to set the lean-side boundary value
of the predetermined rich region based on the element temperature
of the oxygen sensor detected by the temperature detection means
may be further provided.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] According to the present invention having the
above-described configuration, when it is determined that the
degree of the output tendency in the predetermined lean region of
the oxygen sensor is not less than the predetermined lean degree,
and that the degree of the output tendency in the predetermined
rich region of the oxygen sensor is less than the predetermined
rich degree, the limit is set to the correction to the air-fuel
ratio control in the direction to more suppress enriching of the
air-fuel ratio as the degree is larger in which the output of the
oxygen sensor is shifted to the lean side. Accordingly, a time when
abnormality has occurred in the oxygen sensor is appropriately
discriminated, and at that time, it becomes possible to suitably
perform the air-fuel ratio control based on the output of the
oxygen sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an internal
combustion engine according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a graph showing an output characteristic
of a pre-catalyst sensor;
[0021] [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a graph showing an output characteristic
of a post-catalyst sensor;
[0022] [FIG. 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a concept
structure of an oxygen sensor, which is the post-catalyst
sensor;
[0023] [FIG. 4B] FIG. 4B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a
region surrounded by an IVB portion of FIG. 4A;
[0024] [FIG. 4C] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram representing a
state where a defect occurs in a detection element of the sensor of
FIG. 4A;
[0025] [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing in an overlapping manner
an example of an output waveform of the oxygen sensor of FIG. 4A
and an example of an output waveform of the oxygen sensor of FIG.
4C;
[0026] [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relation between an
imbalance ratio and a hydrogen amount discharged to an exhaust
passage;
[0027] [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of processing of air-fuel
ratio control of the first embodiment;
[0028] [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of setting processing of a
guard value of the first embodiment;
[0029] [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of change of
an output of the post-catalyst sensor when the detection element of
the post-catalyst sensor has a defective abnormality;
[0030] [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a region where a
limit according to a degree of abnormality of the post-catalyst
sensor is set to correction to main air-fuel ratio control;
[0031] [FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a graph showing change of a guard value
to a lean output ratio;
[0032] [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of a
relation between a temperature of the detection element of the
post-catalyst sensor and an output voltage of the sensor;
[0033] [FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of a
relation between the temperature of the detection element of the
post-catalyst sensor and an impedance resistance of the detection
element of the sensor; and
[0034] [FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of setting processing of a
guard value of a third embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
explained based on accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment
will be explained.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine
according to the first embodiment. An internal combustion engine
(hereinafter, an engine) 1 burns an air-fuel mixture of fuel and
air inside a combustion chamber 3 formed in an engine body 2
including a cylinder block, and generates power by reciprocating a
piston in a cylinder. The engine 1 of the embodiment is a
multi-cylinder internal combustion engine for automobiles, and more
specifically, is a spark ignition type internal combustion engine
of an in-line four-cylinder, i.e., a gasoline engine. However, the
internal combustion engine to which the present invention can be
applied is not limited to the above, and the number of cylinders,
types, etc. are not particularly limited as long as the engine is
an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. Note
that the engine 1 is mounted on an unillustrated vehicle.
[0037] Although unillustrated, an intake valve that opens and
closes an intake port, and an exhaust valve that opens and closes
an exhaust port are arranged at a cylinder head of the engine 1 for
each cylinder, and each intake valve and each exhaust valve are
opened and closed by a camshaft. A spark plug 4 for igniting the
air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 3 is attached to a top
portion of the cylinder head for each cylinder. In addition, an
injector (a fuel injection valve) 5 that directly injects fuel in
the combustion chamber 3 is arranged at the cylinder head for each
cylinder.
[0038] The intake port of each cylinder is connected to a surge
tank 7, which is an intake air collection chamber, through a branch
pipe 6 of the each cylinder. An intake pipe 8 is connected to an
upstream side of the surge tank 7, and an air cleaner 9 is provided
at an upstream end of the intake pipe 8. Additionally, an air flow
meter 10 as intake air amount detection means for detecting an
intake air amount, and an electronically controlled throttle valve
11 are incorporated in the intake pipe 8 in that order from the
upstream side. The intake port, the branch pipe 6, the surge tank
7, and the intake pipe 8 form a part of an intake air passage 12,
respectively.
[0039] Meanwhile, the exhaust port of each cylinder is connected to
an exhaust manifold 13. The exhaust manifold 13 includes a branch
pipe 13a of each cylinder that forms an upstream portion of the
exhaust manifold 13, and an exhaust collection portion 13b that
forms a downstream portion thereof. An exhaust pipe 14 is connected
to a downstream side of the exhaust collection portion 13b. The
exhaust port, the exhaust manifold 13, and the exhaust pipe 14 form
a part of an exhaust passage 15, respectively. An exhaust
purification catalyst, which is a so-called three-way catalyst,
i.e., a catalytic purification device 16, is attached to the
exhaust pipe 14.
[0040] Sensors 17, 18 that generate outputs according to oxygen
concentrations in exhaust gas are installed at upstream and
downstream sides of the catalyst 16. The sensor (upstream sensor)
17 of the upstream side of the catalyst 16 is referred to as a
pre-catalyst sensor 17 here, and the sensor (downstream sensor) 18
of the downstream side of the catalyst 16 is referred to as a
post-catalyst sensor 18 here. These pre-catalyst sensor 17 and
post-catalyst sensor 18 are installed at positions right before and
after the catalyst 16 in the exhaust passage, and generate the
outputs based on the oxygen concentrations in the exhaust gas,
respectively.
[0041] Note that in the first embodiment, an exhaust purification
catalyst including a three-way catalyst similar to the catalyst 16,
i.e., a catalytic purification device 19, is attached also at a
downstream side of the post-catalyst sensor 18.
[0042] The above-mentioned spark plug 4, injector 5, throttle valve
11, etc. are electrically connected to an electronic control unit
(hereinafter, an ECU) 20 configured as a control device, i.e.,
control means (a control unit). The ECU 20 includes: a CPU; storage
devices such as a ROM and a RAM; an input/output port; etc., all of
which are not illustrated. In addition, as can be seen, in addition
to the above-mentioned air flow meter 10, pre-catalyst sensor 17,
and post-catalyst sensor 18, a crank angle sensor 21 for detecting
a crank angle of the engine 1; an accelerator opening degree sensor
22 for detecting an accelerator opening degree; a vehicle speed
sensor 23 for detecting a speed of a vehicle on which the engine 1
is mounted, i.e., a vehicle speed; and other various sensors are
electrically connected to the ECU 20 through an unillustrated A/D
converter etc. The ECU 20 controls the spark plug 4, the injector
5, the throttle valve 11, etc. based on outputs of the various
sensors so as to obtain desired engine output to thereby control
ignition timing, a fuel injection amount, fuel injection timing, a
throttle opening degree, etc. Note that the throttle opening degree
is controlled to be an opening degree according to the accelerator
opening degree, and that the throttle opening degree also becomes
larger as the accelerator opening degree becomes larger.
[0043] As described above, the ECU 20 performs respective functions
of fuel injection control means (a fuel injection control unit),
ignition control means (an ignition control unit), intake air
amount control means (an intake air amount control unit) and the
like. Additionally, as is apparent from the following explanation,
the ECU 20 performs each function of air-fuel ratio control means
(an air-fuel ratio control unit), output tendency value calculation
means (an output tendency value calculation unit), determination
means (a determination unit), and limit setting means (a limit
setting unit). Note that the determination means (determination
unit) includes lean determination means (a lean determination unit)
and rich determination means (a rich determination unit).
[0044] Additionally, the ECU 20 detects an amount of intake air per
unit time, i.e., an intake air amount, based on an output signal
from the air flow meter 10. The ECU 20 detects a crank angle itself
and also detects the number of rotations of the engine 1 based on a
crank pulse signal from the crank angle sensor 21. Here, "the
number of rotations" means the number of rotations per unit time,
and has the same meaning as a rotation speed. Additionally, the ECU
20 usually sets a fuel injection amount (or a fuel injection time)
using data etc. previously stored in a storage device based on the
intake air amount and the engine rotation speed, i.e., an engine
operation state. Fuel injection from the injector 5 is then
controlled based on the fuel injection amount.
[0045] By the way, the pre-catalyst sensor 17 is made of a
so-called wide-area air-fuel ratio sensor, and can continuously
detect an air-fuel ratio comparatively over a wide range. An output
characteristic of the pre-catalyst sensor 17 is shown in FIG. 2. As
can be seen, the pre-catalyst sensor 17 outputs a voltage signal Vf
with magnitude proportional to an oxygen concentration in the
exhaust gas corresponding to an air-fuel ratio (a pre-catalyst
air-fuel ratio A/Ff) of a burnt air-fuel mixture. An output voltage
when the air-fuel ratio is stoichiometric (a theoretical air-fuel
ratio, for example, A/F=14.6) is Vreff (for example, approximately
3.3 V). When the air-fuel ratio is leaner than the stoichiometry,
the output voltage of the pre-catalyst sensor 17 is higher than the
stoichiometric equivalent value Vreff, while when the air-fuel
ratio is richer than the stoichiometry, the output voltage of the
pre-catalyst sensor 17 is lower than the stoichiometric equivalent
value Vreff.
[0046] On the other hand, the post-catalyst sensor 18 is made of a
so-called oxygen (O.sub.2) sensor, and has a characteristic that an
output value rapidly changes after the stoichiometry. An output
characteristic of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is shown in FIG. 3.
As can be seen, the post-catalyst sensor 18 outputs a signal
according to an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas
corresponding to an air-fuel ratio (a post-catalyst air-fuel ratio
A/Fr) of a burnt air-fuel mixture, and an output voltage when the
air-fuel mixture is the stoichiometry, i.e., a stoichiometric
equivalent value (stoichiometric equivalent voltage), is Vrefr (for
example, 0.45 V). An output voltage of the post-catalyst sensor 18
changes within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 1 V).
Generally, when the air-fuel ratio is leaner than the
stoichiometry, an output voltage Vr of the post-catalyst sensor 18
is lower than the stoichiometric equivalent value Vrefr, while when
the air-fuel ratio is richer than the stoichiometry, the output
voltage Vr of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is higher than the
stoichiometric equivalent value Vrefr.
[0047] The catalysts 16, 19 are made of three-way catalysts,
respectively, and simultaneously purify NOx, HC, and CO, which are
harmful components in the exhaust gas, when the air-fuel ratio A/F
of the exhaust gas flowing into the respective catalysts 16, 19 is
near the stoichiometry. A width (window) of the air-fuel ratio with
which these three components can be simultaneously purified with
high efficiency is relatively narrow.
[0048] Consequently, at the time of normal operation of the engine
1, air-fuel ratio control (stoichiometric control) for controlling
near the stoichiometry detected air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas
flowing into the upstream catalyst 16 is executed by the ECU 20. In
this air-fuel ratio control, air-fuel ratio control (hereinafter,
main air-fuel ratio control) is executed based on the output of the
pre-catalyst sensor 17, and correction to the main air-fuel ratio
control is executed by a correction amount set based on the output
of the post-catalyst sensor 18. In the main air-fuel ratio control,
the air-fuel ratio (specifically, the fuel injection amount) of the
air-fuel mixture is feedback controlled so that the air-fuel ratio
detected based on the output of the pre-catalyst sensor 17 becomes
the stoichiometry, which is a predetermined target air-fuel ratio.
Correction to the main air-fuel ratio control is then performed so
that the air-fuel ratio detected based on the output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 becomes the stoichiometry. Such correction
can be here referred to as auxiliary air-fuel ratio control with
respect to the main air-fuel ratio control. In the embodiment, the
above-described predetermined target air-fuel ratio, i.e., a
reference value (target value) of the air-fuel ratio, is the
stoichiometry, and a fuel injection amount equivalent to the
stoichiometry (it is called a stoichiometric equivalent amount) is
a reference value (target value) of the fuel injection amount.
However, the reference values of the air-fuel ratio and the fuel
injection amount can also be set to be other values. Note that a
same control amount is uniformly used for each cylinder in the
air-fuel ratio control.
[0049] Additionally, a limit is set to the above-described
correction based on the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18 in
the above-described air-fuel ratio control. This limit is set
according to a degree of abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor
18, which will be mentioned in detail later, and means providing
limit guard in the above-described correction amount.
[0050] Here, a configuration of the post-catalyst sensor 18 and
abnormality thereof will be explained. The post-catalyst sensor 18,
which is an oxygen sensor, is here configured as a cylindrical
oxygen sensor using a solid electrolyte. The post-catalyst sensor
18 includes a cylindrical detection element 18a arranged so as to
project in the exhaust passage 15 as a concept structure of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 being shown in FIG. 4A. An inner surface of
the detection element 18a is exposed to the atmospheric air (air),
and an outer surface thereof is exposed to the exhaust gas flowing
through a sensor cover 18b. In addition, the detection element 18a
is formed of a solid electrolyte whose inner and outer surfaces are
covered with electrodes as a cross-sectional structure of apart of
the detection element 18a being schematically shown in FIG. 4B. The
solid electrolyte indicates a solid substance inside which oxygen
can move in a state of being ionized, and zirconia is utilized
here. Note that the solid electrolyte may include another
material.
[0051] Now, when a difference is generated in an oxygen partial
pressure between the atmosphere air inside the detection element
18a as described above and the exhaust gas thereoutside, in short,
when a difference is generated in the oxygen concentration, the
atmospheric air and the exhaust gas being separated through the
detection element 18a, in order to reduce the difference, oxygen on
a side with high oxygen concentration (usually, an atmosphere side)
ionizes to pass through a solid electrolyte, and moves to a side
with low oxygen concentration (usually, an exhaust side). Electron
movement occurs at electrodes of inside and outside surfaces of the
detection element 18a according to the movement of oxygen, and as a
result, an electromotive force is generated in the detection
element. In this way, the post-catalyst sensor 18 outputs a voltage
according to the difference of the oxygen partial pressure between
the atmospheric air and the exhaust gas, i.e., the difference of
the oxygen concentrations.
[0052] Meanwhile, the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas
changes according to the air-fuel ratio of the burnt air-fuel
mixture. For example, when an air-fuel mixture having an air-fuel
ratio of the stoichiometry or richer than that is burnt, oxygen of
the air-fuel mixture is almost completely burnt, and thus the
oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas becomes approximately zero.
In addition, when combustion is performed by an air-fuel mixture
having an air-fuel ratio leaner than the stoichiometry, oxygen
remains at the time of the combustion. Therefore, the leaner the
air-fuel ratio becomes, the higher the oxygen concentration in the
exhaust gas becomes. In contrast with this, the oxygen
concentration in the atmospheric air is always substantially
constant. Accordingly, an air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture
burnt in the engine 1 can be recognized by the output voltage of
the sensor 18 according to the oxygen concentration of the exhaust
gas on the basis of the oxygen concentration of the atmospheric
air. This is as already explained with reference to FIG. 3.
[0053] Now, in the post-catalyst sensor 18, which is the oxygen
sensor as described above, as shown in FIG. 4C, when a defect,
i.e., an element crack 18c, occurs in the detection element 18a,
and an inside and an outside of the detection element 18a
communicate with each other, exhaust outside the detection element
enters the inside thereof. As a result of it, the difference in the
oxygen concentration between inside and outside of the detection
element 18a is eliminated, and the post-catalyst sensor 18 stops
generating an electromotive force. That is, when such abnormality
occurs in the post-catalyst sensor 18, the post-catalyst sensor 18
comes to generate an output similar to an output at the time of
lean combustion. Additionally, generally, the output voltage of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 becomes smaller as a degree of abnormality
as described above increases in the post-catalyst sensor 18, and
the post-catalyst sensor 18 generates an output in which the
air-fuel ratio has been shifted particularly closer to a lean side
than a predetermined value closer to the lean side than the
stoichiometry with respect to the stoichiometry.
[0054] Here, one example of change of the output voltage of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 will be represented in FIG. 5 together with
a vehicle speed. As represented in FIG. 5, an output voltage from
the normal post-catalyst sensor 18 changes so as to repeat a time
when it is in a low voltage region lower than the stoichiometric
equivalent voltage, for example, in a region not more than 0.2 V
and not less than 0 V, and a time when it is in a high voltage
region higher than the stoichiometric equivalent voltage, for
example, in a high voltage region not less than 0.6 V and not more
than 1 V. In contrast with this, an output voltage from the
abnormal post-catalyst sensor 18 in which an element crack has
occurred here is generally in the low voltage region lower than the
stoichiometric equivalent voltage, it is in a voltage region
particularly low in the low voltage region, for example, in a
voltage region not more than 0.05 V (preferably, not less than 0
V), and it is hardly not less than the stoichiometric equivalent
voltage.
[0055] As described above, the more the degree of abnormality of
the post-catalyst sensor 18 increases, the more a tendency for the
post-catalyst sensor 18 to generate the output similar to the
output at the time of lean combustion increases, and for example,
frequency to output a voltage not more than 0.05 V increases. That
is, the degree of abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor 18 and a
degree in which the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is
shifted to the lean side have a correlation with each other.
[0056] Meanwhile, also when a degree of variation of air-fuel
ratios among cylinders is high, the tendency for the post-catalyst
sensor 18 to generate the output similar to the output at the time
of lean combustion can be increased. This will be explained
hereinafter.
[0057] For example, in a part (particularly, one cylinder) of all
the cylinders, failure of the injector 5 etc. may occur, and
variation (imbalance) of air-fuel ratios may occur among the
cylinders. For example, the above occurs in a case where a fuel
injection amount of a #1 cylinder increases more than fuel
injection amounts of other #2, #3, #4 cylinders due to poor valve
closing of the injector 5, and an air-fuel ratio of the #1 cylinder
deviates to a rich side more largely than air-fuel ratios of the
other #2, #3, #4 cylinders. Even at this time, if a comparatively
large correction amount is given by the above-mentioned air-fuel
ratio feedback control, a detected air-fuel ratio of total gas
(merged exhaust gas) supplied to the pre-catalyst sensor 17 can be
controlled to be the stoichiometry in some cases. However, looking
at cylinders individually, the #1 cylinder is much richer than the
stoichiometry, the #2, #3, #4 cylinders are leaner than the
stoichiometry, and they are stoichiometric only as whole
balance.
[0058] In addition, fuel supplied to the combustion chamber is a
compound of carbon and hydrogen. Accordingly, when an air-fuel
ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied for combustion is the
air-fuel ratio closer to the rich side than the stoichiometry,
unburnt materials such as HC, CO and H.sub.2 are generated as
intermediate products. Additionally, the closer to the rich side
the air-fuel ratio is, the smaller a probability of combining of
those unburnt materials with oxygen, i.e., a probability of
oxidation combustion of those unburnt materials, rapidly becomes.
As a result of this, the closer to the rich side the air-fuel ratio
is, the more an amount of those unburnt materials discharged from
the combustion chamber increases. This is similar in a case where
the degree of variation of the air-fuel ratios among cylinders
becomes large, and the case is shown in FIG. 6.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a graph showing change of a discharge amount of
hydrogen with respect to an air-fuel ratio or an imbalance ratio of
the rich side. The imbalance ratio (%) is one parameter
representing the degree of variation, i.e., a degree of imbalance
of the air-fuel ratios among cylinders. Namely, the imbalance ratio
is a value indicating that when deviation of fuel injection amount
occurs at only one certain cylinder among all the cylinders, at
what ratio a fuel injection amount of the cylinder (imbalance
cylinder) in which the deviation of fuel injection amount has
occurred deviates from a fuel injection amount of a cylinder
(balance cylinder) in which the deviation of fuel injection amount
has not occurred. Assuming that the imbalance ratio is denoted as
IB, the fuel injection amount of the imbalance cylinder is denoted
as Qib, and the fuel injection amount of the balance cylinder,
i.e., a reference fuel injection amount, is denoted as Qs, a
formula, IB=(Qib-Qs)/Qs.times.100, can be expressed. The larger the
imbalance ratio IB or an absolute value thereof is, the larger a
deviation of the fuel injection amount of the imbalance cylinder
with respect to the balance cylinder is, and the larger the degree
of variation of the air-fuel ratios among cylinders is.
Accordingly, it turns out from FIG. 6 that the larger the degree of
variation of the air-fuel ratios among cylinders becomes, the more
a discharge amount of hydrogen increases.
[0060] Meanwhile, the pre-catalyst sensor 17, which is an air-fuel
ratio sensor, is generally provided with a diffusion resistance
layer, and generates an output according to an amount of oxygen (an
oxygen concentration or an oxygen partial pressure) that has passed
through the diffusion resistance layer and has reached an
exhaust-side electrode layer (a detection element surface) of the
pre-catalyst sensor 17. However, the output of the pre-catalyst
sensor 17 is the one further also according to an amount (a
concentration or a partial pressure) of the unburnt materials that
have passed through the diffusion resistance layer.
[0061] Hydrogen is a smaller molecule compared with HC, CO, etc.
Accordingly, hydrogen diffuses in the diffusion resistance layer of
the pre-catalyst sensor 17 more easily compared with the other
unburnt materials. That is, preferential diffusion of hydrogen
occurs in the diffusion resistance layer.
[0062] When the degree of variation of the air-fuel ratios among
cylinders becomes large, the output of the pre-catalyst sensor 17
corresponds to the air-fuel ratio closer to the rich side than a
true air-fuel ratio, due to the preferential diffusion of hydrogen.
Accordingly, since the air-fuel ratio closer to the rich side than
the true air-fuel ratio is detected by the pre-catalyst sensor 17,
larger correction to the lean side is performed by the
above-described air-fuel ratio feedback control compared with a
case where there is no or almost no variation of the air-fuel
ratios among cylinders. Accordingly, the post-catalyst sensor 18,
which is the oxygen sensor, has a stronger tendency to generate the
output biased to the lean.
[0063] This tendency similarly applies to not only a case where the
fuel injection amount of the imbalance cylinder is larger than the
fuel injection amount of the balance cylinder, but a case where the
fuel injection amount of the imbalance cylinder is smaller than the
fuel injection amount of the balance cylinder. In the case where
the fuel injection amount of the imbalance cylinder is smaller than
the fuel injection amount of the balance cylinder, fuel injection
amounts of other balance cylinders are increased by the air-fuel
ratio feedback control so as to make up for a shortage of the fuel
injection amount of the imbalance cylinder. Accordingly, more
hydrogen is discharged from the balance cylinder compared with the
case where there is no or almost no variation of the air-fuel
ratios among cylinders. Due to the hydrogen, the pre-catalyst
sensor 17 has a higher tendency to generate the output according to
the air-fuel ratio closer to the rich side than the true air-fuel
ratio. Accordingly, also in the case where the fuel injection
amount of the imbalance cylinder is smaller than the fuel injection
amount of the balance cylinder, similarly, as a result of the
above-described air-fuel ratio feedback control being performed,
the post-catalyst sensor 18, which is the oxygen sensor, has a
stronger tendency to generate the output biased to the lean.
[0064] As described above, also when the degree of variation of the
air-fuel ratios among cylinders is high, the post-catalyst sensor
18 can have a stronger tendency to generate the output similar to
the output at the time of lean combustion.
[0065] Meanwhile, as mentioned above, when variation of the
air-fuel ratios occurs among cylinders, looking at cylinders
individually, for example, the air-fuel ratio of the imbalance
cylinder deviates to the rich largely from the stoichiometry, and
the air-fuel ratios of the other balance cylinders are leaner than
the stoichiometry. Accordingly, when the variation of the air-fuel
ratios occurs among cylinders, the post-catalyst sensor 18, if it
is normal, has the stronger tendency to generate the output similar
to the output at the time of lean combustion as mentioned above,
but on the other hand, it generates an output similar to an output
at the time of rich combustion.
[0066] As mentioned above, when abnormality, such as a defective
abnormality, occurs in the detection element 18a of the
post-catalyst sensor 18, the post-catalyst sensor 18 has the
stronger tendency to generate the output similar to the output at
the time of lean combustion, and it rarely generates the output
similar to the output at the time of rich combustion. In contrast
with this, for example, when the degree of variation of the
air-fuel ratios among cylinders is high, the post-catalyst sensor
18, if it is normal, i.e., if there is no obvious abnormality, has
the stronger tendency to generate the output similar to the output
at the time of lean combustion, but it generates the output similar
to the output at the time of rich combustion at a certain ratio.
Consequently, here, output appearance tendencies (hereinafter,
output tendencies) of the post-catalyst sensor 18 in a
predetermined lean region closer to the lean side than the
stoichiometry and in a predetermined rich region closer to the rich
side than the stoichiometry are monitored, and the degree of
abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is precisely estimated
based on those tendencies. Additionally, when the post-catalyst
sensor 18 has abnormality, a limit is set to correction to the main
air-fuel ratio control based on the output of the pre-catalyst
sensor 17 according to the degree of the abnormality, and excessive
enriching correction is suppressed or preferably prevented.
Hereinafter, the air-fuel ratio control will be specifically
explained.
[0067] The air-fuel ratio control will be further explained based
on flow charts of FIGS. 7 and 8. Note that processing based on a
flow of FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed by the ECU 20 during engine
operation, and that specifically, it is repeatedly executed for
each certain rotation of a crankshaft. In addition, processing
based on a flow of FIG. 8 is also repeatedly executed by the ECU 20
during the engine operation.
[0068] When air-fuel ratio control processing is started, it is
first determined in step S701 whether or not conditions
(hereinafter, correction preconditions) with which correction of
main air-fuel ratio control by the post-catalyst sensor 18, which
is the oxygen sensor, should be performed are satisfied. The
correction preconditions are, for example, as follows: an engine
cooling water temperature is not less than a prescribed value;
start of the engine 1 is completed; fuel increase, such as
after-start increase, warming-up increase, power increase, and OTP
increase for catalyst overheat prevention, is not being executed,
and a prescribed time has elapsed after end of such increase; fuel
cut is not being executed, and a prescribed time has elapsed after
end of the fuel cut; and the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18
was inverted (changed from a lean output to a rich output, or
changed oppositely thereto, i.e., it was determined that the
post-catalyst sensor 18 was activated) at least once after the
start of the engine 1. When all of them are then satisfied, it is
determined that the correction preconditions are satisfied.
[0069] When affirmative determination is performed since the
correction preconditions are satisfied in step S701, a temporary
correction amount dVft is calculated based on the output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 in next step S703. This temporary
correction amount can be calculated using known various techniques
or operation methods. Here, one example thereof is shown.
[0070] First, a deviation .DELTA.Vr is calculated from a difference
between the reference voltage Vrefr and the acquired output voltage
Vr of the post-catalyst sensor 18 (.DELTA.Vr<-Vrefr-Vr). Next,
an integrated value SUM and an average integrated value ASUM are
calculated based on the deviation .DELTA.Vr. The integrated value
SUM is calculated by adding the deviation .DELTA.Vr to an
integrated value SUM, which is the value at the time of last
calculation (SUM<-SUM+.DELTA.Vr). The average integrated value
ASUM indicates an average value in which fluctuation of the
integrated value SUM in a short period is suppressed, and is
obtained as a weighted average value of the integrated value SUM
using the average integrated value ASUM, which is the value at the
time of the last calculation (ASUM<-{(n-1)*ASUM+SUM}/n, however,
for example, n is set to be not less than 1). Note that processing
other than the weighted average value may be employed, and that the
average integrated value ASUM may just be obtained as the average
value in which fluctuation of the integrated value SUM is reduced.
Note that the integrated value SUM and the average integrated value
ASUM are set to be zero in the initial state, respectively.
[0071] When the integrated value SUM and the average integrated
value ASUM are calculated, next, a change amount d.DELTA.Vr of the
output deviation .DELTA.Vr of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is
calculated with respect to the output deviation .DELTA.Vr
(=.DELTA.Vrold) at the time of the last calculation
(d.DELTA.Vr<-.DELTA.Vr-.DELTA.Vrold). The temporary correction
amount dVft for correcting the output voltage Vf of the
pre-catalyst sensor 17 is then calculated based on Formula (1)
using those calculated values.
dVft<-KP*.DELTA.Vr+KI*SUM+KD*d.DELTA.Vr (1)
However, respective coefficients KP, KI, KD are values previously
set by an experiment.
[0072] Meanwhile, when negative determination is performed in step
S701 since the correction preconditions are not satisfied, in step
S705, a value calculated by multiplying a latest average integrated
value ASUM calculated when the previous correction preconditions
are satisfied by the predetermined coefficient KI is read as the
temporary correction amount dVft (dVft<-KI*ASUM). Note that when
step S705 is reached, the latest average integrated value ASUM
calculated when the previous correction preconditions are satisfied
may be read, it may be multiplied by the predetermined coefficient
KI, and the temporary correction amount d.DELTA.Vft may be
calculated.
[0073] When the temporary correction amount d.DELTA.Vft is obtained
in step S703 or S705, in step S707, guard processing is applied to
the temporary correction amount d.DELTA.Vft, and the correction
amount dVf for correcting the output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst
sensor 17 is calculated. The guard processing is executed based on
a guard value determined according to the flow chart of FIG. 8.
Note that as is apparent from the following explanation, this guard
value is determined to set a limit to the temporary correction
amount, which is a correction amount set based on the output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18, with respect to the above-described main
air-fuel ratio control.
[0074] Here, setting processing of the guard value will be
explained according to the flow chart of FIG. 8.
[0075] First, in step S801, it is determined whether or not
preconditions (hereinafter, abnormality preconditions) for setting
the guard value according to the degree of abnormality of the
pre-catalyst sensor 18 are satisfied. Here, the abnormality
preconditions are conditions for determining whether or not the
internal combustion engine is in a state where an output
abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor 18 itself can be determined
based on the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18. Here,
satisfying all the following conditions is set as the abnormality
preconditions: activation of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is
completed; a prescribed time has elapsed after returning from fuel
cut; an intake air amount is not less than a prescribed value; and
the state is not an idle state. However, the abnormality
preconditions may be preconditions other than these. Note that,
elapse of the prescribed time after returning from fuel cut is
included in the abnormality preconditions because the internal
combustion engine waits until an effect by the fuel cut is
eliminated after returning from the fuel cut. In addition, the
conditions that the intake air amount is not less than the
prescribed value and the state is not an idle state are included in
the abnormality preconditions because a back pressure of the
exhaust gas is sufficiently increased in order to make an element
crack clearly appear in the output when the detection element of
the post-catalyst sensor 18 has a defective abnormality, i.e., the
element crack has occurred.
[0076] When affirmative determination is performed since the
abnormality preconditions are satisfied in step S801, a monitor
counter is added by one in step S803. The monitor counter is set to
be zero in its initial state. Note that when negative determination
is performed in step S801, the routine ends.
[0077] In step S805 next to step S803, it is determined whether or
not an output voltage of the post-catalyst sensor 18 acquired in
this routine is less than a lean determination voltage. The lean
determination voltage is set as a rich-side boundary value of a
voltage region closer to the lean side than the stoichiometry, the
voltage region more including the output generated by the
post-catalyst sensor 18, as the degree of abnormality of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 more increases, and particularly the degree
of the defect abnormality more increases. Note that the voltage
region is the region not less than 0 V and less than the lean
determination voltage, and corresponds to a predetermined lean
region of the present invention. Here, although the lean
determination voltage is set to be 0.05 V, it may be a value other
than this. Additionally, when affirmative determination is
performed in step S805, a lean counter is increased by one in step
S807. The lean counter is set to be zero in its initial state.
[0078] In contrast with this, when negative determination is
performed since the output voltage of the post-catalyst sensor 18
is not less than the lean determination voltage in step S805, it is
determined whether or not the output voltage of the post-catalyst
sensor 18 exceeds a rich determination voltage in step S809. The
rich determination voltage is set as a lean-side boundary value of
a voltage region closer to the rich side than the stoichiometry,
the voltage region less including the output generated by the
post-catalyst sensor 18, as the degree of abnormality of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 more increases. Note that the voltage
region is the region not more than 1 V and exceeding the rich
determination voltage, and corresponds to a predetermined rich
region of the present invention. Here, although the rich
determination voltage is set to be 0.70 V, it may be a value other
than this. Additionally, when affirmative determination is
performed in step S809, a rich counter is increased by one in step
S811. The rich counter is set to be zero in its initial state. Note
that in steps S805 and S809, a value of the air-fuel ratio
corresponding to the voltage value may be used instead of the
voltage value.
[0079] Here, steps S805 to S811 will be further explained using a
case shown in FIG. 9 as an example. FIG. 9 shows an example of
change of an output voltage when an obvious defective abnormality
occurs in the post-catalyst sensor 18. Generally, although an
output of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is less than 0.05 V, it
sometimes becomes high like indicating a peak. Such a phenomenon,
for example, may occur along with fuel cut being performed.
[0080] For example, since an output of the post-catalyst sensor 18
acquired at timing t1 of FIG. 9 is less than 0.05 V, affirmative
determination is performed in step S805, and the lean counter is
increased by one in step S807. In addition, since an output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 acquired at timing t2 of FIG. 9 is not less
than 0.05 V and not more than 0.7 V, negative determination is
performed in steps S805 and S809, and neither the lean counter nor
the rich counter is increased.
[0081] In this way, when the lean counter is increased by one in
step S807, the rich counter is increased by one in step S811, or
negative determination is performed in step S809, it is determined
in step S813 whether or not a value of the monitor counter is not
less than a predetermined value. This determination corresponds to
determination of whether or not a monitoring time set to more
appropriately estimate the degree of abnormality of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 has elapsed. For example, the monitoring
time is several tens of seconds.
[0082] When negative determination is performed since the value of
the monitor counter is less than the predetermined value in step
S813, the routine is ended. In contrast with this, when affirmative
determination is performed in step S813 since the value of the
monitor counter is not less than the predetermined value, it is
determined in step S815 whether or not a value of the lean counter
is not less than the lean predetermined value, and a value of the
rich counter is less than the rich predetermined value.
[0083] In step S815, the value of the lean counter is used as a
lean tendency value representing an output tendency in the
predetermined lean region in the monitoring time, which is the
predetermined time, and the value of the rich counter is used as a
rich tendency value representing an output tendency in the
predetermined rich region in the monitoring time, which is the
predetermined time. Additionally, determining whether or not the
value of the lean counter is not less than the lean predetermined
value corresponds to determining whether or not a degree of the
output tendency in the predetermined lean region is not less than a
predetermined lean degree, and determining whether or not the value
of the rich counter is less than the rich predetermined value
corresponds to determining whether or not a degree of the output
tendency in the predetermined rich region is less than a
predetermined rich degree.
[0084] Here, a region A where affirmative determination is
performed in step S815 with respect to the lean counter and the
rich counter is shown in FIG. 10. The region A is defined by a lean
predetermined value L1 and a rich predetermined value R1. In a case
shown in FIG. 9, as mentioned above, the lean counter and the rich
counter are counted, respectively, one plot (not shown) located in
the region A of FIG. 10 is obtained, and affirmative determination
is performed in step S815. Note that when the degree of variation
of the air-fuel ratios among cylinders is large, and there is no
abnormality in the post-catalyst sensor 18, for example, one plot
located in a region B of FIG. 10 is obtained, and negative
determination is performed in step S815.
[0085] Note that in step S815, a lean output ratio (a unit: %)
(lean output ratio=value of lean counter/predetermined value of
step S813.times.100) can be used as the lean tendency value instead
of the value of the lean counter, and that a rich output ratio (a
unit: %) (rich ratio=value of rich counter/predetermined value of
step S813.times.100) can also be used as the rich tendency value
instead of the value of the rich counter. In this case, a step of
calculating these lean output ratio and rich output ratio is
provided between steps S813 and S815, and the lean predetermined
value and the rich predetermined value in step S815 become values
corresponding to these. FIG. 10 can also be understood that the
region A is represented to the lean output ratio and the rich
output ratio, and the lean predetermined value L1, for example, can
be 5 to 10%.
[0086] When affirmative determination is performed in step S815, a
rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is calculated based on the lean
counter in step S817. Since step S817 is reached when the
post-catalyst sensor 18 has abnormality as mentioned above, and in
this case, the post-catalyst sensor 18 has the strong tendency to
generate the output similar to the output at the time of lean
combustion, correction to enrich the air-fuel ratio is promoted
when air-fuel ratio control is performed using the output as it is.
Consequently, here, the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is changed
from an initial value and set in a direction to suppress enriching
of the air-fuel ratio. That is, step S817 is reached, and thereby
change of the previously set rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is
permitted.
[0087] In contrast with this, when negative determination is
performed in step S815, a rich-side guard value for a normal time
that is set in an initial state is read and set in step S819. When
step S819 is reached, the post-catalyst sensor 18 is normal or
substantially normal. That is, step S819 is reached, and thereby
change of the previously set rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is
forbidden.
[0088] When step S817 or S819 is gone through, step S821 is
reached, and the monitor counter, the lean counter, and the rich
counter are reset. That is, these counters are set to be zero.
Consequently, the routine ends.
[0089] Here, setting of the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) will be
further explained based on FIG. 11. However, a value of FIG. 11
relates to a case where the temporary correction amount d.DELTA.Vft
is calculated in the air-fuel ratio control as mentioned in detail
above.
[0090] FIG. 11 represents change of the guard value dVgrd based on
the lean output ratio (a lean ratio). Guard values include the
rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) and a lean-side guard value dVgrd
(-). A ratio L2 of FIG. 11 corresponds to the lean predetermined
value L1 of FIG. 10, and they are the same or substantially the
same. In the embodiment, 0.3 V is set as the rich-side guard value
dVgrd (+) in an initial state, and -0.3 V is set as the lean-side
guard value dVgrd (-) in the initial state.
[0091] When in step S815, affirmative determination is performed
since the value of the lean counter is not less than the lean
predetermined value, and the value of the rich counter is less than
the rich predetermined value, the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+)
is changed from an initial value (0.3 V) based on data as
represented in FIG. 11 or an operation formula corresponding to the
data. Specifically, first, the value of the lean counter obtained
so far is divided by the predetermined value of step S813, the
divided value is multiplied by 100, and thereby the lean output
ratio can be obtained. Additionally, the data as represented in
FIG. 11 is retrieved by this lean output ratio, or operation is
performed based on the operation formula corresponding to the data,
and thereby the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is calculated (step
S817). Note that the data of FIG. 11 is determined so that the
rich-side guard value is changed and set in the direction to more
suppress enriching of the air-fuel ratio in the air-fuel ratio
control as the lean output ratio is larger, i.e., as a degree is
larger in which the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18, which is
the oxygen sensor, is shifted to the lean side. In other words, the
data of FIG. 11 is determined so that the rich-side guard value is
changed and set in the direction to more suppress enriching of the
air-fuel ratio in the air-fuel ratio control as a degree is larger
in which appearance frequency distribution of the output value of
the post-catalyst sensor 18 is shifted from the stoichiometry to
the lean side to a certain degree or more.
[0092] In contrast with this, when in step S815, negative
determination is performed since a requirement that the value of
the lean counter is not less than the lean predetermined value, and
that the value of the rich counter is less than the rich
predetermined value is not satisfied, change of the rich-side guard
value dVgrd (+) is forbidden as mentioned above, and the initial
value (0.3 V) is set as the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) (step
S819).
[0093] Note that as is apparent from FIG. 11, the lean-side guard
value dVgrd (-) is set to be an initial value regardless of the
lean output ratio, i.e., regardless of the degree of abnormality of
the pre-catalyst sensor 18. This is because when there is
abnormality, such as a defect abnormality, in the pre-catalyst
sensor 18, the output thereof generally becomes small as mentioned
above.
[0094] Now, guard processing is applied to the above-mentioned
temporary correction amount based on the guard value set as
described above. Returning to FIG. 7, when the temporary correction
amount d.DELTA.Vft is obtained in step S703 or S705, and step S707
is reached, guard processing is applied to the temporary correction
amount d.DELTA.Vft, and the correction amount dVf for correcting
the output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst sensor 17 is calculated
and decided. The guard processing is performed using either the
rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) or the lean-side guard value dVgrd
(-) according to whether the temporary correction amount is
positive or else (or negative or else).
[0095] When the calculated temporary correction amount d.DELTA.Vft
is positive, in that case, it is determined whether or not the
temporary correction amount dVft is larger than the rich-side guard
value dVgrd (+) set at that time. Then, when the temporary
correction amount dVft is larger than the rich-side guard value
dVgrd (+), the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is calculated and
set as the correction amount dVf for correcting the output voltage
Vf of the pre-catalyst sensor 17. In contrast with this, if the
temporary correction amount dVft is not more than the rich-side
guard value dVgrd (+), the temporary correction amount dVft is set
as the correction amount dVf as it is.
[0096] Meanwhile, if the calculated temporary correction amount
d.DELTA.Vft is not positive, in that case, it is determined whether
or not the temporary correction amount dVft is smaller than the
lean-side guard value dVgrd (-) set at that time. Then, when the
temporary correction amount dVft is smaller than the lean-side
guard value dVgrd (-), the lean-side guard value dVgrd (-) is
calculated and set as the correction amount dVf for correcting the
output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst sensor 17. In contrast with
this, when the temporary correction amount dVft is not less than
the lean-side guard value dVgrd (-), the temporary correction
amount dVft is set as the correction amount dVf as it is.
[0097] As described above, by applying the guard processing, the
correction amount dVf for correcting the output voltage Vf of the
pre-catalyst sensor 17 is set within the guard value dVgrd
(dVgrd(-).ltoreq.dVf.ltoreq.dVgrd(+)). In a manner as described
above, the limit is set to the above-described correction based on
the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18 with respect to the
air-fuel ratio control.
[0098] Additionally, when the correction amount dVf for correcting
the output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst sensor 17 is decided in
step S707, in step S709, the output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst
sensor 17 is corrected using the correction amount dVf, and a
control voltage value Vc is calculated. Here, the control voltage
value Vc is calculated by adding the correction amount dVf to the
output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst sensor 17 (Vc<-Vf+dVf). As
mentioned above, when the defective abnormality occurs in the
post-catalyst sensor 18, the output of the post-catalyst sensor 18
is generally smaller compared with the reference voltage Vrefr. The
control voltage value Vc calculated in such a time is generally
larger than the output voltage Vf of the pre-catalyst sensor
17.
[0099] Additionally, in step S711, a fuel injection amount with
which a target air-fuel ratio is achieved with respect to the
intake air amount detected based on the output of the air flow
meter 10, i.e., a fuel injection time, is calculated by feedback
operation based on the calculated control voltage value Vc. As a
result of this, the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is
feedback controlled.
[0100] As mentioned above, first, values representing the output
tendencies in the predetermined lean region and the predetermined
rich region in the predetermined time, specifically, the
above-described value of the lean counter (or the lean output
ratio) and value of the rich counter (or the rich output ratio) are
calculated, and the degree of abnormality of the post-catalyst
sensor 18 is estimated based on them. Then, when it is determined
that the degree of abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is
not less than a certain degree (affirmative determination in step
S815), the limit is set to the correction to the air-fuel ratio
control in the direction to more suppress enriching of the air-fuel
ratio as the degree is larger in which the output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 is shifted to the lean side according to
the degree of abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor 18,
specifically, based on the lean output ratio. That is, when
affirmative determination is performed in step S815, a stronger
limit is set to the correction to the air-fuel ratio control in the
direction to more suppress enriching of the air-fuel ratio as a
degree is larger in which output frequency distribution of the
output value of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is deviated from the
stoichiometry to the lean side to a certain degree or more based on
the lean output ratio. Accordingly, if the degree of variation of
the air-fuel ratios among cylinders is large, and the post-catalyst
sensor 18 is normal, it can be suppressed for the post-catalyst
sensor 18 to be erroneously determined to have abnormality, and the
air-fuel ratio can be more suitably made to follow the target
air-fuel ratio by the above-described air-fuel ratio control.
[0101] Note that in the first embodiment, when in step S815,
negative determination is performed since a requirement that the
value of the lean counter is not less than the lean predetermined
value, and that the value of the rich counter is less than the rich
predetermined value is not satisfied, in step S819, change of the
rich-side guard value dVgrd (+) is forbidden, and the initial value
is set as the rich-side guard value dVgrd (+). However, when
negative determination is performed in step S815, it is also
possible that setting of the guard value is not performed at all,
and that a guard processing step of the above-described step S707
is skipped or substantially skipped. In this case, the temporary
correction amount calculated in step S703 or S705 can be used as
the correction amount dVf as it is.
[0102] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention
will be explained. Since a configuration of an engine to which the
second embodiment has been applied is almost the same as the
above-described engine 1, an explanation thereof will be omitted.
Note that hereinafter, a different point in the second embodiment
from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.
[0103] Generally, an output characteristic of an oxygen sensor,
i.e., an output characteristic of a rich side, is dependent on a
temperature of a detection element of the oxygen sensor.
Consequently, in the second embodiment, an output tendency of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 is examined based on the output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 when the post-catalyst sensor 18 has a
temperature at which a sufficient output can be generated with
respect to the exhaust gas at the time of rich combustion in a case
where the detection element of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is
normal. Specifically, in the second embodiment, a condition that
"the temperature of the detection element of the post-catalyst
sensor 18 is not more than a predetermined temperature" is added to
the abnormality preconditions of step S801. Additionally, for that
reason, the ECU 20 also performs a function as temperature
detection means (a temperature detection unit) for detecting
(estimating) the temperature (element temperature) of the detection
element of the post-catalyst sensor 18, which is the oxygen
sensor.
[0104] The post-catalyst sensor 18, although not illustrated,
includes a heater (heating means (a heating device)). The ECU 20
monitors switching timing of ON/OFF of the heater and an ON time
thereof, and monitors the output of the air flow meter 10 or an
intake air amount (or an exhaust flow rate) based thereon. The ECU
20 then retrieves the data previously set based on the experiment
or performs operation previously set similarly based on the
monitored values, and thereby detects the temperature of the
detection element of the post-catalyst sensor 18. Note that outputs
of further various sensors can be used in order to obtain the
temperature of the detection element of the post-catalyst sensor
18. For example, the ECU 20 may obtain the temperature of the
detection element of the post-catalyst sensor 18 further based on
an output of the accelerator opening degree sensor 22 in addition
to a monitor result of the switching timing of ON/OFF of the heater
and the ON time thereof, and the output of the air flow meter
10.
[0105] There is shown in FIG. 12 a relation between the element
temperature of the post-catalyst sensor 18 and a sensor output
voltage (guaranteed value) of the post-catalyst sensor 18 at the
time of rich combustion. As shown in FIG. 12, the post-catalyst
sensor 18 has a characteristic in which the output of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 at the time of rich combustion more lowers
as the element temperature of the post-catalyst sensor 18 becomes
higher. Meanwhile, in the second embodiment, the rich determination
value in step S809 is 0.7 V similarly to the first embodiment in
setting processing of the guard value of the air-fuel ratio
control. An output of 0.7 V corresponds to 850.degree. C. in FIG.
12. For that reason, the predetermined temperature of the condition
that "the temperature of the detection element of the post-catalyst
sensor 18 is not more than the predetermined temperature", which is
further added to the abnormality preconditions of step S801, is set
to be 850.degree. C., which is the temperature having a
correspondence relation with the rich determination value of step
S809. However, the predetermined temperature, in this case, may be
another temperature less than 850.degree. C.
[0106] As mentioned above, in the second embodiment, in step S801
in the setting processing of the guard value of the air-fuel ratio
control, affirmative determination is performed when the conditions
are satisfied in which the detected temperature of the detection
element of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is not more than 850.degree.
C. in addition to satisfaction of all the conditions: activation of
the post-catalyst sensor 18 is completed; the prescribed time has
elapsed after returning from fuel cut; the intake air amount is not
less than the prescribed value; and the state is not the idle
state. Conversely, when at least one of those conditions is not
satisfied, negative determination is performed in step S801. Note
that since operation processing or control other than these in the
second embodiment is the same as the one explained in the first
embodiment, an explanation thereof is omitted.
[0107] As described above, since the temperature of the detection
element of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is also taken into
consideration in the second embodiment, the rich counter can be
updated more appropriately in step S811. Accordingly, the degree of
abnormality of the post-catalyst sensor 18 can be evaluated more
appropriately.
[0108] Note that although the temperature of the detection element
of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is taken into consideration for
updating, i.e., counting, of the rich counter as described above,
the temperature of the detection element of the post-catalyst
sensor 18 need not be taken into consideration for updating of the
lean counter. However, preferably, the temperature of the detection
element of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is taken into consideration
for updating both the rich counter and the lean counter as in the
second embodiment.
[0109] Note that detection of the temperature of the detection
element of the post-catalyst sensor 18 may be made by a method
other than the above. For example, the ECU 20 can have a function
(i.e., a circuit) to regularly forcibly apply a voltage to the
post-catalyst sensor 18, detect a current value in the detection
element at that time, and calculate a resistance value (element
impedance) based on the detected current value. In this case, the
element temperature of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is calculated by
retrieving data as represented in FIG. 13 or performing operation
based on the data. Note that there is shown a relation in FIG. 13
in which the element impedance more lowers as the element
temperature becomes higher.
[0110] Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention
will be explained. Since a configuration of an engine to which the
third embodiment has been applied is almost the same as the
above-described engine 1, an explanation thereof will be omitted.
Note that hereinafter, a different point in the third embodiment
from the second embodiment will be mainly explained.
[0111] In the second embodiment, the rich determination value in
step S809 in the setting processing of the guard value of the
air-fuel ratio control is fixed to be 0.7 V. However, the rich
determination value is made variable in the third embodiment.
[0112] Setting processing of a guard value of air-fuel ratio
control of the third embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 14.
However, since steps S1401 to S1407 and S1411 to S1423 correspond
to steps S801 to S821 of the flow chart of FIG. 8, explanations
thereof are almost omitted. Note that in the second embodiment, the
condition that "the temperature of the detection element of the
post-catalyst sensor 18 is not more than the predetermined
temperature (for example, 850.degree. C.)" is added to the
abnormality preconditions of step S801. However, this condition
need not be added to abnormality preconditions of step S1401. In
this case, step S1401 is step S801 itself of the first
embodiment.
[0113] When negative determination is performed since an output
voltage of the post-catalyst sensor 18 is not less than a lean
determination voltage in step S1405, a rich determination voltage
is calculated in step S1409. The rich determination voltage is
calculated by retrieving the data as represented in FIG. 12 or
performing operation based on the data, based on the detected
temperature of the detection element of the post-catalyst sensor 18
as explained in the second embodiment. As a result of this, for
example, the rich determination voltage is set to be a value on a
line represented in FIG. 12, or a value lower than it.
Additionally, in next step S1411, it is determined whether or not
the output voltage of the post-catalyst sensor 18 exceeds the rich
determination voltage calculated in step S1409.
[0114] As described above, in the third embodiment, since the rich
determination voltage (lean-side boundary value of the
predetermined rich region) is calculated and set based on the
temperature of the detection element of the post-catalyst sensor
18, the rich counter can be updated more appropriately in step
S1413. Note that setting of the rich determination voltage is
performed by the ECU 20 that performs a function as rich region
setting means (a rich region setting unit).
[0115] Embodiments of the present invention are not limited only to
the above-mentioned embodiments, all modification examples,
application examples, and equivalents that are embraced in the
concept of the present invention prescribed by claims are included
in the present invention.
* * * * *